1885.1 
Psychography. 
143 
IV. PSYCHOGRAPHY. 
By R. M. N. 
ffilrHE remarkable phenomenon known as Psychography 
i-L is exciting very general attention. The question of its 
genuineness, and, if genuine, of its nature, is being 
acrimoniously discussed. One distinguished savant, taking 
unwittingly a leaf out of the book of the Bestiarians, wishes 
to suppress research in this direction by the blundering arm 
of the Law. Even the ultima ratio stultorum, the formal 
appeal to Plutus, has been duly invoked. Surely therefore 
it is time that these alleged fadts should be studied in the 
same calm, cold manner, and with the same indifference as 
to possible results, as are customary on the announcement 
of the discovery of a new planet or a new metal. 
A word as to my point of view. I am no “ Spiritualist.” 
Certain of the dodtrines of Spiritualism, as I apprehend 
them, would be to me highly unwelcome ; but to refuse the 
investigation of novel or unexplained phenomena on such 
grounds is assuredly unworthy of a man of Science. We 
cannot dispose of truths by the simple process of shutting 
our eyes and denouncing their discoverers as “ skunks.” 
The fadts of so-called “ Psychography ” are simplicity 
itself, and will need here merely the barest recapitulation. 
Two persons meet in any ordinary room : one of them, the 
so-called medium, sits quietly in a chair, generally near a 
table of ordinary construction. The other person, whom I 
will call the investigator, takes two clean slates, binds them 
firmly together with waxed thread, having left between them 
a fragment of slate-pencil or of red chalk, and lays them on 
the table. The medium places his hand upon them, and in 
a short time, supposing the experiment successful, a sound 
like that of writing is heard. On untying the slates one of 
their inner surfaces, or sometimes both, is found covered 
with writing, whilst the slate-pencil or other material is 
found worn down as if it had been used. 
The features of the experiment have been much modified 
on different occasions. The slates used are sometimes taken 
by the observer from a heap kept for the purpose by the 
medium, and before being used are carefully cleaned by the 
observer with a sponge and water, and rubbed dry with a 
cloth. Not unfrequently the observer brings with him a 
